Tom Vickers

Jamie Elliott says having this weekend off could be a ‘blessing in disguise’ for Saints. Jim Mallinder’s men will not be in action as this Saturday and Sunday are reserved for Champions Cup semi-finals. Saints missed out on playing Wasps at the Madejski Stadium after falling to defeat at Saracens in the last eight. And with as many of 10 first-team players having missed last Saturday’s defeat to Leicester Tigers through injury, Elliott knows now is a good time to rest up and get absentees back for the battle with Bath on April 30. “Maybe this is a blessing in disguise because we get to rest up, lick our wounds and get back out there,” said Elliott, who started against Leicester last weekend. “We need a fully fit side for the final two games and then we can go from there.

“We’ve got to keep our heads up because we’ve still got two more games.

“Hopefully we can get the wins and there’s still a chance (of the top four). You never know.”